More than 100 become free agents as business season starts

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws during the eighth inning of Game 7 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

November 03, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) Even before the Chicago Cubs got to celebrate their drought-ending World Series title with a parade, baseball's business season began Thursday when more than 100 players became free agents and teams started making decisions on 2017 options.

Clubs must decide by Monday whether to make $17.2 million qualifying offers to their players who became free agents, which would attach draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere. Only players who spent the entire season with one team are eligible for the offers.

Texas said it will make a qualifying offer to Desmond, and the two-time All-Star will have until Nov. 14 to accept.

In the first trade since the World Series, the Los Angeles Angels acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Detroit Tigers for right-hander Victor Alcantara.

Maybin batted a career-best .315 with four homers, 43 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 94 games this year for the Tigers, posting one of his best big league seasons despite injury problems. The Angels said they will exercise his $9 million option.

The 23-year-old Alcantara has spent five years in the Angels' minor league system. He went 3-7 with a 4.30 ERA in 29 appearances for Double-A Arkansas last season.

Among potential free agents, Philadelphia declined a $23 million club option on first baseman Ryan Howard, who gets a $10 million buyout, and a $9.5 million mutual option on right-hander Charlie Morton, who gets a $1 million buyout.

Boston exercised a $17.2 million option on designated hitter David Ortiz ''as a formality,'' even though the 40-year-old slugger has said he will retire.

The team also exercised a $13 million option on right-hander Clay Buchholz and declined a $3.75 million option on catcher Ryan Hanigan, who gets an $800,000 buyout.